Why Copilot Alone Is Not Enough: Meeting Transcription for Swiss SMEs Compared

Microsoft Copilot is currently one of the most discussed AI tools. Meetings are automatically summarized, transcribed, and equipped with action items. All directly integrated into Microsoft Teams. That sounds like the perfect solution. But it is not for every company.

The Most Important Points at a Glance

• Copilot offers transcription and summaries directly in Teams

• For Swiss SMEs, there are limitations regarding dialect, data protection, and flexibility

• Specialized tools offer more control and platform independence

• Copilot costs extra per user in addition to the Microsoft license

• The choice depends on what is more important to you: convenience or control

What Copilot Does Well

Copilot has clear strengths.

Seamless Integration

No setup, no additional software. Copilot is available directly in Teams.

Live Summaries

During the meeting, a summary is automatically generated. You can ask questions directly such as:

What was decided

What did person X say

Integration into Microsoft 365

Results flow directly into Word, Outlook, or OneNote. No manual exporting.

Enterprise Functionality

Microsoft offers extensive admin and compliance features for large organizations.

If your company fully relies on Microsoft and mainly works in English, Copilot can work very well.

Where Copilot Reaches Its Limits

1. No Swiss German

This is the decisive point for many teams.

Copilot understands High German and English. Swiss German is not reliably recognized.

In practice, this means:

Meetings with dialect lead to faulty transcripts.

2. Only Within Teams

Copilot works exclusively in Microsoft Teams.

What is missing:

• Zoom meetings

• Google Meet

• Phone calls

• On-site conversations

For many SMEs, this is too limited.

3. Data Processing Outside Switzerland

Copilot runs on Microsoft infrastructure.

Even though there are Swiss data centers, AI functions are not necessarily processed locally.

This is relevant for companies with increased data protection requirements.

4. Cost per User

Copilot costs around CHF 30 per user per month in addition to the existing license.

For small teams, this adds up quickly.

Not every employee uses the feature equally intensively.

5. No Solution for Physical Meetings

Copilot only works in Teams.

No support for:

• On-site customer appointments

• Workshops

• Phone calls

6. Tied to One Ecosystem

All data remains within the Microsoft environment.

A later switch becomes more difficult.

Comparison: Copilot vs. Meeting Metrics

When Copilot Makes Sense

Copilot fits well if:

• your company fully relies on Microsoft

• meetings take place in English or High German

• you work heavily with Word, Outlook, and OneNote

• data protection is not a critical factor

• budget per user is not an issue

When a Specialized Tool Is Better

A specialized tool makes sense if:

• Swiss German is spoken daily

• you use multiple platforms

• meetings also take place outside of tools

• data protection and data location are important

• you want to remain flexible

• you want to manage costs efficiently

Combination of Both Worlds

Some teams combine both approaches:

• Teams meetings with Copilot

• all other meetings with a specialized tool

This works well in the short term.

In the long term, however, two separate systems with duplicate data arise.

The Swiss Context

Dialect Is the Standard

In many teams, Swiss German is spoken. Tools must understand this.

Data Protection Matters

Many industries expect clear control over data.

SME Structure

Most companies are small to medium-sized.

Flexible pricing models are often more sensible than rigid license costs.

Conclusion

Copilot is a strong product. But it is not universal. For many Swiss SMEs, it only covers part of the requirements.

The crucial question is: Does Copilot fit your daily work, or do you have to adapt to Copilot? If the latter applies, it is worth looking at specialized solutions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Copilot understand Swiss German?

No, dialects are not reliably recognized.

Do I need an additional license?

Yes, Copilot is licensed per user, in addition to Microsoft 365.

Can Meeting Metrics record Teams meetings?

Yes, via desktop and mobile, independent of the platform.

What is cheaper for small teams?

Often a flexible tool, since not every user needs their own license.